1.) for those that have done it..can I have your story?

2.) Was there a point that you wanted to turn back and what made you change your mind?

3.) Any good books you recommend?

4.) Is the pushing stage so horrible or do you have adrenaline to push past it?

5.) In your opinion, which is worse? Transition or pushing?

1) DS1's birth story is in my sig - click on "our lion cub". I have not posted DS2's birth story, but it was an induction and I only used gas for pain relief.

2) I'm not sure what you mean - was there a point I wanted pain relief? With DS1, no. I had my hypnobabies on the ipod and my TENS machine. I also used the shower a lot. With DS2, it was so much harder, emotionally and physically. I used the bath for pain relief and a bit of TENS. At one stage I asked for pethidine but then changed my mind and just sucked on gas - think I got to 20% or however they measure the dose.

3) Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to better birth; Sarah Buckley's Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering; Hypnobabies Home Study course material & self-hypnosis CDs

4) With DS1, it was harder work than I thought it would be but it wasn't horrible. The body takes over, you go with it, send all your energy and power to your bottom, tuck your chin into your chest and keep your voice deep/low (higher tones can self-induce panic). The people in the most pain were the poor midwives whose hands I was crushing each time I pushed. I've had more painful poos. With DS2, it was easy, he was so tiny

5) With DS1, I don't remember transition. I was on a roll and never did the "i wanna go home, I've had enough" stuff I'd read about. I had that with DS2, but again, it was an induction and he had passed away, so it was never going to be fun. With DS1 the pushing was exhausting but once I realised what needed doing, I was OK. I thought I was letting people down by not pushing well enough (like there's some prize they give out for technique - I still don't know what I was thinking). At least with pushing you can regain a sense of control. For some women, anyway.

TBH, apart from the end, DS1's birth kicked ass and I could have done that again after a week's rest. I loved it.

I've read a lot of birth stories and they are all so different, even with the same woman, different baby. Some take a lot of time, some come in a rush. Some need to be pushed, some slip out. I recommend doing a lot of reading. Write a 1 page birth plan and hand out lots of copies. Arm yourself with techniques and strong support. Then adjust as it happens. Don't get hung up on the perfect birth. Concentrate on having a "better" birth instead. If you are more empowered than last time, it will be better, whether it's vaginal, c/s, takes hours or minutes, happens at home, hospital or the side of the road.

GL